Matt Barr

Since its release in 1998, Steven Spielberg's D-Day drama Saving Private Ryan has become hugely influential: everything, from the opening sequence of Gladiator ("Saving Marcus Aurelius") to the marvellous 10-hour TV series Band of Brothers, has been made in its shadow. There have been many previous attempts to recreate the D-Day landings on screen (notably, the epic The Longest Day), but thanks to Spielberg's freewheeling hand-held camerawork, Ryan was the first time an audience really felt like they were there, storming up Omaha Beach in the face of withering enemy fire. After the indelible opening sequence, however, the film is not without problems. The story, though based on an American Civil War incident, feels like it was concocted simply to fuel Spielberg's sentimental streak. In standard Hollywood fashion the Germans remain a faceless foe (with the exception of one charmless character who turns out to be both a coward and a turncoat); and the Tom Hanks-led platoon consists of far too many stereotypes: the doughty Sergeant; the thick-necked Private; the Southern man religious sniper; the cowardly Corporal. Matt Damon seems improbably clean-cut as the titular Private in need of rescue (though that may well be the point); and why do they all run straight up that hill towards an enemy machine gun post anyway? Some non-US critics have complained that Ryan portrays only the American D-Day experience, but it is an American film made and financed by Americans after all. Accepting both its relatively narrow remit and its lachrymose inclinations, Saving Private Ryan deserves its place in the pantheon of great war pictures. On the DVD: Saving Private Ryan on disc comes in a good-quality anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer with a suitably dynamic Dolby Digital 5.1 sound mix in which bullets fly all around your living room. Extra features are pretty minimal, with a standard 30-minute "making of" piece called "Into the Breach" and two trailers. There are text notes on the cast and crew as well as the production, and a brief message from Mr Spielberg himself about why he decided to make the movie. --Mark Walker

Since its release in 1998, Steven Spielberg's D-Day drama Saving Private Ryan has become hugely influential: everything, from the opening sequence of Gladiator ("Saving Marcus Aurelius") to the marvellous 10-hour TV series Band of Brothers, has been made in its shadow. There have been many previous attempts to recreate the D-Day landings on screen (notably, the epic The Longest Day), but thanks to Spielberg's freewheeling hand-held camerawork, Ryan was the first time an audience really felt like they were there, storming up Omaha Beach in the face of withering enemy fire. After the indelible opening sequence, however, the film is not without problems. The story, though based on an American Civil War incident, feels like it was concocted simply to fuel Spielberg's sentimental streak. In standard Hollywood fashion the Germans remain a faceless foe (with the exception of one charmless character who turns out to be both a coward and a turncoat); and the Tom Hanks-led platoon consists of far too many stereotypes: the doughty Sergeant; the thick-necked Private; the Southern man religious sniper; the cowardly Corporal. Matt Damon seems improbably clean-cut as the titular Private in need of rescue (though that may well be the point); and why do they all run straight up that hill towards an enemy machine gun post anyway? Some non-US critics have complained that Ryan portrays only the American D-Day experience, but it is an American film made and financed by Americans after all. Accepting both its relatively narrow remit and its lachrymose inclinations, Saving Private Ryan deserves its place in the pantheon of great war pictures.--Mark Walker

Rude and racy, The Layover is this year's must-see comedy! Single and jobless, Meg (Kate Upton - The Other Woman) and Kate (Alexandra Daddario Baywatch, San Andreas) are in a rough patch. Desperate to escape, they book a last minute getaway but their plans for rest and relaxation are derailed when a storm reroutes their flight to St. Louis. Holed up in a lifeless hotel whilst they wait out the storm and in need of entertainment they befriend fellow passenger, Ryan, a tall, blonde fireman. The pair suddenly find that their vacation has turned into an all-out competition for his attention. The flight may be off but the fight is on!

Bored of being eternally banished to earth, two errant angels hatch a plan to sneak back into heaven. Unfortunately, if they use the required loophole in religious Dogma, they'll prove God fallible and undo the very fabric of the universe, ending all existence. Bummer. Enter the distant grand niece of Jesus Christ and an army of angels, beautiful mythical figures, saintly apostles and all entities good and holy. And Jay and Silent Bob. The phrase "it's a religious comedy" must have caused Hollywood to have a sacred cow. And, as Smith's first attempt to move away from the early lo-fi, character-centred, relationship-based comedies (Clerks, Mallrats and Chasing Amy) toward the narrative-led big-budget spectacular, Dogma is not without problems. Proving controversial on release, stones were cast by churchgoers and Smith devotees alike. Frothing-mouthed extremists levelled charges of blasphemy at the more colourful elements (a Malcolm X-style 13th apostle, the crucifix being binned as uncool and God not being a white-bearded patriarch), leaving the devoutly Catholic Smith, who's intentions were to celebrate the mystery and beauty of religion, completely bemused. Equally, the Luddite Clerks obsessives who wrote it off as "Smith-gone-Hollywood" should have recognised that the script was written way before he gave us his black-and-white debut. More ambitious than his previous mates-roped-in cheapies, the apocryphal and apocalyptic Dogma is still blessed with water-into-wine performances, pop culture gags, postmodern self-referencing and stoopid shagging jokes. Though it may not be wholly miraculous, this is still a righteous movie; and, in comparison with the average big-buck formulaic Hollywood evil, it's practically saintly.On the DVD: Dogma's budget outstripped the early Smith films by miles, and the 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen transfer does it justice, with divine colour and heavenly sound. The picture quality of the extras--including trailers, TV spots and cast and crew interviews--is not so good and pixilation occurs throughout. The interviews are provocative enough, though, giving huge insight into the film. And it's quite something to see Smith looking all "Clark Kent" in his civvies. --Paul Eisinger

Bonded by their oath to the same flag, two confederate soldiers, Devil Anse Hatfield (Kevin Costner) and Randall McCoy (Bill Paxton), return home seeking peace after tireless months of battle. Their expectations are quickly shattered when a murder based on misunderstandings and an illicit love affair trigger warfare between former comrades and their clans. This historic feud teeters on the brink of an all out civil war as friends and neighbours join opposing sides in a rivalry that would ultimately shape American History.

True Grit is a powerful story of vengeance and valour set in an unforgiving and unpredictable frontier where justice is simple and mercy is rare. Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) is determined to avenge her father's blood by capturing Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) the man who shot and killed him for two pieces of gold. Just fourteen she enlists the help of Rooster Cogburn Academy Award Winner Jeff Bridges) a one-eyed trigger-happy U.S. Marshall with an affinity for drinking and hardened Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Academy Award Winner Matt Damon) to track the fleeing Chaney. Despite their differences their ruthless determination leads them on a perilous adventure that can only have one outcome: retribution.

Those already into Blu-ray will have a specific title and a particular scene up their sleeves to show off the benefits of Hi-Def home entertainment to the uninitiated. Here's a true great to add to the armoury (so to speak)--the first 20 minutes of action in Saving Private Ryan [Blu-ray] are as good a demonstration as you'll ever need to make someone say "wow". The true terror of the D-Day landings in World War II is brought to startling life in this high definition release--with the explosions jumping out of the screen and bullets zipping around your ears, you're brought as close to the front line as you can get without leaving the safety of your sofa--you will need reminding to breathe once that brutal, gut-wrenching opener is over. And it doesn't stop there. The rest of the film benefits from the Blu-ray clean up, it's looking brighter and sounding more crisp than ever before (as you would expect). One of the greatest war films ever made has been expertly enhanced and it's now an even more wonderful movie experience--the transfer to 1080p is exemplary.The extras are bountiful too, with over three hours of special features. The only criticism of the entire package is that only a couple of the extras are in Hi-Def, the rest are in standard definition. However, fans of the film won't be disappointed as extras from previous DVD releases are collated, including a great insight into Steven Spielberg's mind as he talks about his interest in World War II and how it led to him making this film. The notable addition to this version's extras being an extensive and fascinating documentary Shooting War, hosted by Tom Hanks, which follows the brave soldiers tasked with chronicling the war and all the horrors that came with it. It's a great account it's own right, so owners of this copy are given plenty to pore over. Make no mistake, the scene-stealer is the opener--it grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go for 20 agonising minutes--and if you're looking to enhance your collection, then look no further than this landmark release.--Tom Lawrance Special Features 2-disc Blu-ray edition. Disc 1: Feature Film.Disc 2: Special Features: ? An Introduction - 2:33 ? Looking into the Past - 4:38 ? Miller and his Platoon - 8:22 ? Boot Camp - 7:35 ? Making Saving Private Ryan - 22:01 ? Re-Creating Omaha Beach - 17:55 ? Music and Sound - 15:56 ? Parting Thoughts - 3:41 ? Into the Breach: Saving Private Ryan - 25:03 ? Theatrical Trailer HD - 2:18 ? Re-Release Trailer HD - 2:08 ? Shooting War - 88:04

A visual knockout, Titan A.E. is an ambitious animated feature that combines traditional animation, computer-generated imagery and special effects in the service of a science fiction adventure plotted with narrative conventions familiar from Star Wars and Star Trek. Credit directors Don Bluth (An American Tail, The Secret of NIMH, Anastasia) and Gary Goldman with crafting a vivid, convincing look to this deep space saga, which conjures some stunning images: a tense opening sequence climaxing in the destruction of Earth; a watery planet where delicate but deadly hydrogen trees float; joyriding in a starship while pursued by playful "space angels"; and a nerve-wracking journey through a lethal maze of massive ice crystals each qualify as mesmerising sequences in any film context.What's visually stunning proves intermittently stunted on the narrative front, however. Orphaned when the evil Drej atomise Earth, protagonist Cale (voiced by Matt Damon) must journey across space to unlock the mystery of his late father's final project, the Titan spacecraft, in a test of faith and filial identity that echoes Star Wars. The Titan itself ultimately poses a cosmic potential familiar to admirers of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Comical sidekicks (Nathan Lane, Janeane Garofalo, John Leguizamo), a sultry love interest (Drew Barrymore) and a roguish mentor (Bill Pullman) all verge on the generic, narrowly redeemed by dialogue from a writing team including Buffy the Vampire Slayer-creator Joss Whedon.It's likely that Titan's target audience of young males prompted the filmmakers to walk a tightrope between softer family features and more violent, hard-edged anime. Although it's brief bloodshed and coy nudity stops short of more adult terrain, younger viewers might be unsettled by the violence. Young teens will find the proceedings tamer than the video games and anime fantasies that have influenced it. --Sam Sutherland, Amazon.com

A slasher-inspired drama this series is about a group of friends and family who meet to celebrate a wedding on an island just outside Seattle - an island that is famous for a streak of unsolved murders seven years ago... Suspense ensues when they end up dead one by one. Has the killer returned or is someone else to blame?

An all-singing all-dancing star-spangled musical leap around the biblical story of the Nativity set in 1972. With a comic twist this familiar story is brought to life through the eyes of the innkeeper. Despairing after a bad year he contemplates suicide but his attempt is stalled by a voice from above who points out that King Herod is coming to town.

Short Time is an action comedy centring on Burt Simpson (Coleman) a burnt out cop divorced and depressed. His sole joy is his son Dougie whom he hopes to send to Harvard. But Burt's existence is thrown into turmoil when he is informed he has only a ""short time"" to live just one week before retirement. On discovering that his insurance policy will only pay out - and Dougie will only be able to afford to go to college - if he dies in the line of fire Burt must turn into a wild vigilan

Available for the first time on DVD! At last he found something worth fighting for The year is 1942. The war already 3 years old rages on with no end to the bitter struggle in sight. For Rebel sickened by the horrors of jungle warfare desertion is the only way out. On the run in Sydney he drifts from bar to bar in the city's notorious red light district until he meets and falls in love with Kathy the beautiful singer in an all-girl band. But Rebel's days of running are numbered. Relentlessly pursued by the Military Police he is finally forced to choose between escaping to freedom or risking capture by staying with the girl he loves. Alive with an unforgettable soundtrack that brilliantly mixes the music and moods of the 40s with the punch and style of the 80s.

K2 is a thrilling action adventure about two men Taylor Brooks (Michael Biehn) and Harold Jamieson (Matt Craven) attempting to conquer the most feared mountain in the world. Their quest takes them from America to the sheer peaks of Alaska where they encounter and join a group preparing for the mammoth expedition. Then on to the mighty Karakoram mountain range in Northern Pakistan where K2 ""The Savage Mountain"" awaits. One by one the mountaineers are faced with setbacks and disast

Seen through the eyes of a squad of American soldiers the story begins with World War II's historic D-Day invasion then moves beyond the beach as the men embark on a dangerous special mission. Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) must take his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan whose three brothers have been killed in combat. Faced with impossible odds the men question their orders. Why are eight men risking their lives to save just one? Surrounded by the brutal realitie

True Grit is a powerful story of vengeance and valour set in an unforgiving and unpredictable frontier where justice is simple and mercy is rare. Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) is determined to avenge her father's blood by capturing Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) the man who shot and killed him for two pieces of gold. Just fourteen she enlists the help of Rooster Cogburn Academy Award Winner Jeff Bridges) a one-eyed trigger-happy U.S. Marshall with an affinity for drinking and hardened Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Academy Award Winner Matt Damon) to track the fleeing Chaney. Despite their differences their ruthless determination leads them on a perilous adventure that can only have one outcome: retribution.

Caught in the heart of a nuclear explosion a victim of gamma radiation gone wild Doctor Robert Bruce Banner now finds himself transformed in times of stress into one thousand pounds of unfettered fury - the most powerful creature ever to walk the earth. Desperate to rid himself of the beast raging inside Bruce Banner becomes a hapless fugitive in the 1990s animated series of The Incredible Hulk Season 1. This double DVD includes all 13 bittersweet episodes and voice-over by Lou Ferrigno the renowned Hulk actor from Marvel's live-action 1970s TV series. With the relentless General Ross in hot pursuit Bruce Banner's experimental escapades lead to some heroic help from Iron Man the Fantastic Four Thor and She-Hulk. Meanwhile the Hulk faces explosive encounters with the Leader Doctor Doom and the Abomination. Episodes Comprise: Return of the Beast Part 1 Return of the Beast Part 2 Raw Power Helping Hand Iron Fist Innocent Blood Man to Man Beast to Beast Doomed Fantastic Fortitude Mortal Bounds And the Wind Cries... Wendigo Darkness and Light Part 1 Darkness and Light Part 2 Darkness and Light Part 3

Since its release in 1998, Steven Spielberg's D-Day drama Saving Private Ryan has become hugely influential: everything from the opening sequence of Gladiator ("Saving Marcus Aurelius") to the marvellous 10-hour TV series Band of Brothers has been made in its shadow. There have been many previous attempts to recreate the D-Day landings on screen (notably, the epic The Longest Day), but thanks to Spielberg's freewheeling hand-held camerawork, Ryan was the first time an audience really felt like they were there, storming up Omaha Beach in the face of withering enemy fire. After the indelible opening sequence, however, the film is not without problems. The story, though based on an American Civil War incident, feels like it was concocted simply to fuel Spielberg's sentimental streak. In standard Hollywood fashion the Germans remain a faceless foe (with the exception of one charmless character who turns out to be both a coward and a turncoat); and the platoon, led by Tom Hanks, consists of far too many stereotypes: the doughty sergeant; the thick-necked private; the southern-man religious sniper; the cowardly corporal. Matt Damon seems improbably clean cut as the titular private in need of rescue (though that may well be the point); and why do they all run straight up that hill towards an enemy machine-gun post anyway? Some non-US critics have complained that Ryan portrays only the American D-Day experience, but it is an American film made and financed by Americans after all. Accepting both its relatively narrow remit and its lachrymose inclinations, Saving Private Ryan deserves its place in the pantheon of great war pictures. On the DVD: This DTS edition of Saving Private Ryan presents the movie with astonishingly vivid surround sound that is audibly superior to the standard Dolby Digital version. With a wider dynamic range and a more spacious soundfield, the battles really do spill over into your living room. There are new animated menus but because the DTS data stream requires greater space on the disc, the 30-minute behind-the-scenes documentary included on the previous release is omitted. --Mark Walker

Containing collectable Lobby Cards featuring key scenes from the film; two sobering World War II documentaries ""Price for Peace"" and ""Shooting War""; and a commemorative two disc copy of the film with never before seen footage and exclusive features the Saving Private Ryan WWII Collection is a must for all war enthusiasts. Presented in stunning commemorative packaging this boxset is in memory of those 60 years ago. Seen through the eyes of a squad of American soldiers the story beg